Beijing (CNS) -- A round white jade seal inscribed "Tai Shang Huang Di" and marked the 60th year of Qianlong (1795), an emperor during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), was sold for 161 million yuan (25.3 million USD) on the Chinese Antiques and Ceramics-Evening Sale held by the Poly International Auction Co. Ltd., Tuesday. The number has set a new world record for imperial seal and white jade sales.
The seal was made when Qianlong was 85 years old and his son Jiaqing was the emperor at the time. It is the only round-shaped one among all his some 20 imperial seals.
Its high historic, artistic, and cultural value riveted the attention of the whole market, said the auction company.
Two other notable antiques were bid out at the auction. An imperially inscribed "Shen De Tang Bao" white jade dragon seal made in the 11th year of Daoguang (1831) brought 90.85 million yuan. Another pair of superb white jade imperial "dragon" seals was auctioned off for 43.125 million yuan.
